Quebec premier-elect St-Pierre Plamondon signals support for Alberta independence, energizing separatists

Quebec's election of separatist Paul St-Pierre Plamondon as premier-designate has thrown a wrench into Canada's political dynamics just two weeks before Alberta votes on separation.

St-Pierre Plamondon's Parti Québécois wiped the Coalition Avenir Québec from the National Assembly Monday, securing a minority government. During a Calgary visit last year, St-Pierre Plamondon pledged to recognize an independent Alberta should the province vote to separate—a position that has energized Alberta's own separatist movement.

Jeffrey Rath, an Alberta separatist lawyer who has met with St-Pierre Plamondon over dinner and maintained contact since, said the development is historic. "For the first time in Canadian history, we have a government in Quebec that supports Alberta independence," Rath said in an interview Tuesday. "That's huge."

Corey Morgan, an online commentator and separatist advertiser in Alberta's upcoming referendum, framed the Quebec result as a strategic win for independence movements across the country. "Whether you like it or not, Quebec just elected an overtly separatist party to be their government," Morgan said. "That's significant, and it's going to make a difference in policy in the next two to four years."

Alberta's referendum is scheduled for October 19, asking voters whether the province should remain in Canada or hold a second, binding vote on independence. Premier Danielle Smith, who called the referendum earlier this year, has said she will vote to remain in Canada. She congratulated St-Pierre Plamondon on social media Monday but did not address the separation issue in her statement. Prime Minister Mark Carney similarly offered congratulations without referencing the separatist implications.